Please talk me into a TVR
Discussion
Hello everyone,
having been a long time lurker in this forum first of all thank you all for providing such interesting content and solving problems around TVRs here out in the open for everyone to read and learn from! TVR people appear to be astonishingly friendly and well meaning when compared to other internet car communities.
Why do I write this? I've considered buying a Chimaera for almost two years now. I'm really fascinated by a true driver's car that is mostly made up of commonly accessible parts brought together on a platform, that allows for pure driving and the chance to look after the cars yourself. All combined with this (in my opinion) timeless beautiful design. I've researched intensely about common problems, pitfalls and downsides and always tried to assess, weather I would be able to fix most stuff myself (outside of the super delicate stuff like changing a camshaft) to keep costs manageable even tho I live in a large city without my own workshop. At some point of think a knew most YouTube content and online articles that are available about everything TVR
It's my dream to drive around Europe in a Chimaera and enjoy motoring in this marvelous car while on vacation and in the weekend for fun - good weather use only. My budget is 18k when buying and 1k a year for keeping it in shape.
Reading about apparently very skilled and motivated owners here, that have already spend good money and time on their cars but are selling now due to reliability concerns and costs, I can see a pattern that's also visible the german TVR community.
So: is my goal for this kind of enjoyment still achievable in a TVR within reasonable cost or do I also have to convince myself of a more reasonable option like an MX5
Thank you
Best Thorsten
having been a long time lurker in this forum first of all thank you all for providing such interesting content and solving problems around TVRs here out in the open for everyone to read and learn from! TVR people appear to be astonishingly friendly and well meaning when compared to other internet car communities.
Why do I write this? I've considered buying a Chimaera for almost two years now. I'm really fascinated by a true driver's car that is mostly made up of commonly accessible parts brought together on a platform, that allows for pure driving and the chance to look after the cars yourself. All combined with this (in my opinion) timeless beautiful design. I've researched intensely about common problems, pitfalls and downsides and always tried to assess, weather I would be able to fix most stuff myself (outside of the super delicate stuff like changing a camshaft) to keep costs manageable even tho I live in a large city without my own workshop. At some point of think a knew most YouTube content and online articles that are available about everything TVR
It's my dream to drive around Europe in a Chimaera and enjoy motoring in this marvelous car while on vacation and in the weekend for fun - good weather use only. My budget is 18k when buying and 1k a year for keeping it in shape.
Reading about apparently very skilled and motivated owners here, that have already spend good money and time on their cars but are selling now due to reliability concerns and costs, I can see a pattern that's also visible the german TVR community.
So: is my goal for this kind of enjoyment still achievable in a TVR within reasonable cost or do I also have to convince myself of a more reasonable option like an MX5
Thank you
Best Thorsten
Edited by ThorstenK on Monday 16th June 20:46
All Chims and Griffs are old enough now to probably need a few jobs doing from time to time beyond standard service items, but you will already know that the vast majority of these jobs are simple and can easily be done yourself with basic skills and tools. Plus a bit of help from here if you need it 
Looking after a car yourself that lives on the street might be harder at times, but if you have access to a garage or even a driveway (or a friend’s driveway) then basic stuff can easily be done, and over time you get to know your way around the car which helps look after it, and also helps you spot little issues before they become potential problems.
The majority of parts are simple, cheap and easy enough to buy.
It doesn’t sound like you need much persuading anyway - go and drive one!
Looking after a car yourself that lives on the street might be harder at times, but if you have access to a garage or even a driveway (or a friend’s driveway) then basic stuff can easily be done, and over time you get to know your way around the car which helps look after it, and also helps you spot little issues before they become potential problems.
The majority of parts are simple, cheap and easy enough to buy.
It doesn’t sound like you need much persuading anyway - go and drive one!
See if you can find a car that has had the engine management system upgraded or budget to get it done as it makes the car a lot more reliable, it will run a lot better as well.
Immobiliser too, the cause of many a non start issue.
Buying a car with a lot of the problem areas addressed would be a massive bonus to keep costs down and enjoyment up.
Immobiliser too, the cause of many a non start issue.
Buying a car with a lot of the problem areas addressed would be a massive bonus to keep costs down and enjoyment up.
I've got a well sorted Chimaera needing a carpet and leather clean up.
On the positive side, chassis refurb, suspension, emerald ECU, modern lights, two piece hardtop which fits in the boot and a back to basics respray all in the past 5 years. 18k would buy it.
Why should you, it did the European tour you are dreaming of last year and did not miss a beat. If not this one, you should buy one. There is nothing quite like it.
On the positive side, chassis refurb, suspension, emerald ECU, modern lights, two piece hardtop which fits in the boot and a back to basics respray all in the past 5 years. 18k would buy it.
Why should you, it did the European tour you are dreaming of last year and did not miss a beat. If not this one, you should buy one. There is nothing quite like it.
A Chimaera is a good entry point and with £18K you should find a good one ... I guess you are German ? .... I make Door Seals for TVRs and I have supplied a lot to Germany and yes there's a very strong active German community ... In fact I believe my latest customers called Thorsten is currently in Italy on a TVR tour with his mates in his T350 (because he can't take delivery of the parts I sent him )
)Thank you all for your replies. This all sounds quite convincing :-).
I am indeed German and didn't really check current exchange rates before posting, which brings my budget closer to 16k pounds - sorry for that. But given your feedback I'd still expect that this will work out. Prices for RHD Chimaeras are quite similar here to prices in the UK, only the LHDs cost around 10k more regardless of condition.
I heard of horror stories from people having to invest 20k after buying to sort everything out. But as far, as I understand this must mean a body off restoration and major work on the engine, right?
I am indeed German and didn't really check current exchange rates before posting, which brings my budget closer to 16k pounds - sorry for that. But given your feedback I'd still expect that this will work out. Prices for RHD Chimaeras are quite similar here to prices in the UK, only the LHDs cost around 10k more regardless of condition.
I heard of horror stories from people having to invest 20k after buying to sort everything out. But as far, as I understand this must mean a body off restoration and major work on the engine, right?
Try to find one with a recent body-off and recent outriggers (specially for RHD, LHD are less prone to rust due to a different usage).
Prices are all over the place on continental markets too, this is even worse, the demand and the offer are low.
Recently in France, a member of our club managed to sell his Chimaera for about 18k€, he was trying to sell her 24k since at least one year. The outriggers were new. Generally it's cheaper to buy one with this work done than buying a cheap one and do the jobs (except if you have competencies, equipment and if you are sensitive to the Ikea-effect).
Prices are all over the place on continental markets too, this is even worse, the demand and the offer are low.
Recently in France, a member of our club managed to sell his Chimaera for about 18k€, he was trying to sell her 24k since at least one year. The outriggers were new. Generally it's cheaper to buy one with this work done than buying a cheap one and do the jobs (except if you have competencies, equipment and if you are sensitive to the Ikea-effect
).I fully agree about prices being all over the place, there certainly is a layer of "wishful thinking prices" that are visible and that produce reappearing cars, that never really get sold for that money. Actual deals appear to be around the figures written above. Interesting comment about LHD usage!
Currently I worry less about outriggers and frames but more about slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes? Sure can't run a compression test before buying. But only asking if overheating has happened probably won't do the trick either.
This problem is very little talked about in Germany and seems to appear a lot in English speaking forums.
Currently I worry less about outriggers and frames but more about slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes? Sure can't run a compression test before buying. But only asking if overheating has happened probably won't do the trick either.
This problem is very little talked about in Germany and seems to appear a lot in English speaking forums.
I have had my Griffith since Christmas and don't regret buying it.
Every drive is an event and I should have bought one years ago.
Always positive interest from people as well, everyone seems to love it.
The Lucas 14CU injection system on the Rover V8 is a development of the Bosch L-Jetronic system, so anyone who can work on 1980's BMW or Mercedes will be able to fault find and sort it.
Parts supply is easier than you may think.
As you say it's a helpful and friendly community, so lots of help will be forthcoming.
Amore have a good selection of cars, and they are close enough to Bristol Airport that if you were to ask them I am sure they'd pick you up.
Worth a flight over, see some cars and try a couple.
My attitude towards the 'risk' of owning a TVR is this.
Engine rebuild - £5k
Chassis rebuild - £12k
The worst thing that could ever happen to your £17k car is that it costs £17k, at which point it's still worth £17K.
Go & buy a New BMW M140i, the 'sensible' choice, and you'll lose £17K anyway in depreciation in the first 3 years.
TVR's make sense for the head and the heart.
Every drive is an event and I should have bought one years ago.
Always positive interest from people as well, everyone seems to love it.
The Lucas 14CU injection system on the Rover V8 is a development of the Bosch L-Jetronic system, so anyone who can work on 1980's BMW or Mercedes will be able to fault find and sort it.
Parts supply is easier than you may think.
As you say it's a helpful and friendly community, so lots of help will be forthcoming.
Amore have a good selection of cars, and they are close enough to Bristol Airport that if you were to ask them I am sure they'd pick you up.
Worth a flight over, see some cars and try a couple.
My attitude towards the 'risk' of owning a TVR is this.
Engine rebuild - £5k
Chassis rebuild - £12k
The worst thing that could ever happen to your £17k car is that it costs £17k, at which point it's still worth £17K.
Go & buy a New BMW M140i, the 'sensible' choice, and you'll lose £17K anyway in depreciation in the first 3 years.
TVR's make sense for the head and the heart.
Interesting line of though there!
I love what you say about the driving experience and maintainability - that seems to match well with my impression.
Guess my job now is being cautions when viewing cars. Which brings me back to slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes?
Can anybody say a few words about it?
I love what you say about the driving experience and maintainability - that seems to match well with my impression.
Guess my job now is being cautions when viewing cars. Which brings me back to slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes?
Can anybody say a few words about it?
ThorstenK said:
Interesting line of though there!
I love what you say about the driving experience and maintainability - that seems to match well with my impression.
Guess my job now is being cautions when viewing cars. Which brings me back to slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes?
Can anybody say a few words about it?
Slipped liners can happen, not a TVR specific problem but in common with and Rover V8 and frankly any lined aluminium blocked engine.I love what you say about the driving experience and maintainability - that seems to match well with my impression.
Guess my job now is being cautions when viewing cars. Which brings me back to slipped liners. How frequent are those and can you really tell just by tapping noise and fumes?
Can anybody say a few words about it?
If it happens it is loud, there's no way to disguise it. So if the car drives well and sounds like a Rover V8 should (don't forget they are noisy, lots of chatter from the pushrods and injectors) then it is probably okay.
However if the engine make a obvious knock and has associated cooling issues such as over pressurised coolant system then the chances are it is a slipped liner.
Good news is that you an now get your engine rebuilt to a better spec and go faster!
I have owned a few Rover V8 engined cars over the years, and worked on probably nearly a hundred, and I have never given slipped liners a second thought. It either happens or it doesn't, I have seen scrap yard Rover V8's with 'fluffy' corroded aluminium where they have been left out in the elements and the still ran well when put in a car. Then you hear stories about people's classic car with minimal mileage and a perfect service history get a slipped liner.
Buy from a TVR specialist and enjoy the confidence that you have some redress in the first few months. After that don't worry about it. If it happens it happens.
I would not worry about engines too much, if cared for you will never get a problem.
Yes the original cams wear out quickly but a lot of cars will have had a cam upgrade, it's not the end of the world if it needs one though and is doable yourself if your competent.
The 500 engine was a bit different and does have some issues that are well documented on here.
Yes the original cams wear out quickly but a lot of cars will have had a cam upgrade, it's not the end of the world if it needs one though and is doable yourself if your competent.
The 500 engine was a bit different and does have some issues that are well documented on here.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff